A chip shot played like a putt: Jon Rahm's method
For Jon Rahm, a rolled chip should be as much like a putt as possible: you read the line, choose a target where you want the ball to land, and then execute a smooth, hands-off stroke. He also explains how he reads the lie and recounts the circumstances surrounding his successful chip at the Ryder Cup.
To be continued
What the lesson shows
Jon Rahm begins by pointing out that it all depends on the situation: lie, grain, speed, weather, and the length of the green and the area in front of it. With a bit of fairway left and about ten meters to the green, The putter is a very reliable option. If he chips, he wants the shot to look as much like a putt as possible: he reads the slope like a putt, decides where the ball should land and how far it should roll, and chooses a clearly visible marker (a pitch mark, a change in the color of the green). His technique for the rolled chip: ball on the back foot, clubface square, hands forward, stance slightly open, then a putting motion, without any hand action.
While the wine is aging on its lees, he simply reasons: When you go against the grain, the spin disappears because grass gets caught between the clubface and the ball, and the ball often comes out higher. He can then use a club with less loft (52°, or even a pitching wedge) and get closer to the ball so the heel doesn’t catch. For a high shot toward a nearby flagstick, he opens his body, stance, and clubface, follows the slope with his hips, and keeps the clubface facing him, emphasizing torso rotation—a detail that’s all too often overlooked. Finally, with the ball above his feet: the clubface points to the left, so he must aim further to the right. At the Ryder Cup, he even had to aim for the right edge of the green with a 60°, keeping his hands lower.
The Exercise, Step by Step
- First, see if the putter can get the job done.
- Read the slope as you would for a putt, and decide where the ball should land and how far it should roll.
- Choose a clearly visible landmark as the landing point.
- Place the ball on your back foot, with a square stance, hands forward, and a slightly open stance.
- Perform a putting stroke calmly, without moving your hands.
- To hit against the grain, use less loft and get closer to the ball so the heel doesn't catch.
- If the ball is above your feet, aim slightly to the right of the target.
Key Takeaways
Mistakes to Avoid
- To chip when a putt would be easier.
- Aim for a vague target that you can no longer see by the time you strike.
- Add hands to a rolled chip.
- Hoping for spin on a rough-textured grass.
- Moving only the hands, without rotating the torso—a mistake Jon Rahm often sees in Pro-Am events.
- Aim the ball at the flag so that it passes over your feet.
Driving Range Mode
Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.
- Same chip shot played with the putter, then with the 56° wedge, and finally with the 60° wedge: compare the roll
- A visible mark on the ground for each ball
- Chips against the grain with less loft
- Ball above the feet: aim shifted to the right
Your Questions
How does Jon Rahm choose where to stay?
He reads the chip as if it were a putt, determines the break and roll, and then looks for an easily identifiable reference point: a pitch mark or a change in the green's color. He advises against overcomplicating things.
Why does spin disappear when you go against the grain?
Because grass gets caught between the clubface and the ball. The ball can also come out higher. In that case, he prefers less loft and gets closer to the ball so the heel doesn't catch.
How does he play a high chip shot toward a nearby flag?
With the lob wedge, he keeps his body, stance, and clubface open. He adjusts his hips to the slope and keeps the clubface facing him, without closing it. He makes sure his upper body continues to rotate.
Why aim to the right when the ball is above your feet?
The hands move down, and the clubface points to the left. Opening the clubface a little isn't enough—you have to aim to the right. At the Ryder Cup, he aimed almost at the right edge of the green.
Learn More
Video posted on YouTube by its creator (Jon Rahm). Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons without hosting them.